From the blog

Memphis Bar Owner Russell George Found Dead of Suicide in Earnestine & Hazel’s

Russell George, Memphis businessman and owner of one of Memphis’ legendary eateries, Earnestine & Hazel’s at Main and G.E. Patterson, was found dead on Monday morning.

Russell George, who also ran the dive bar Murphy’s, located on Madison Ave and later opened Earnestine & Hazel’s in 1993, which is known to have operated as a sundry and brothel in the past by Earnestine Mitchell and Hazel Jones, was found dead inside Earnestine & Hazel’s.

The bar Earnestine & Hazel’s is nationally known as an original “Juke Joint” hotel, having an alleged haunted bar visited by past patrons and also for the infamous Russell George “Soul Burger,” which has won it many awards and a notary on “Best” lists.

Russell George is reported to have possibly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and his death is being investigated as a possible suicide.